15 Kinds of RED Wildflowers in Louisiana (w/Pics)
Did you find a RED wildflower in Louisiana?
If so, I’m sure you’re wondering what type of wildflower you found! Luckily, you can use this guide to help you identify it. 🙂
Please be aware that I’m ONLY listing the most common red wildflowers today. There are so many species, varieties, and subspecies that it would be impossible to name them all. But if you want to dive even deeper into ALL the red wildflowers in Louisiana, check out this field guide!
15 RED wildflowers in Louisiana.
#1. Indian Paintbrush
- Castilleja coccinea
Also known as: Scarlet Indian Paintbrush, Scarlet Paintbrush, Scarlet Painted-cup
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Life Cycle: Biennial or Annual
- Approximate Mature Size: 4-36 in (10-91 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Indian Paintbrush is a hemiparasite, which means it feeds on the nutrients of other plants instead of creating nutrients through photosynthesis. Its most common hosts are grasses and sagebrush. To collect the nutrients, this red wildflower in Louisiana must attach its roots to the roots of its host.
Because of its parasitic nature, Indian Paintbrush can be hard to grow in home gardens and doesn’t transplant well. As a result, it’s commonly found in open fields with other wildflowers and grasses.
Interestingly, if you look closely, the red coloring on Indian Paintbrush isn’t the flower, but a part of its leaves called bracts.
#2. Fire Pink
- Silene virginica
Also known as: Scarlet Catchfly, Cliff Pink, Indian Pink
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 8-36 in (20-91 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring to Mid Summer
- Sun Exposure: Partial Shade
Fire Pink is a native, carnivorous red wildflower in Louisiana.
Carnivorous plants that trap and eat insects sound like something from a tropical jungle, but we have tons of them in North America! The sticky hairs on its leaves trap prey and discourage ants and other pests from eating the leaves.
Fire Pink has five bright red petals that flare out into long tubes. Although this plant is pollinated primarily by hummingbirds, many small songbirds eat its seeds. Juncos, Pine Siskins, Sparrows, Water Pipits, and Horned Larks are all common birds attracted to it.
#3. Pitcher Plant
- Sarracenia purpurea
Also known as: Purple Pitcher Plant, Northern Pitcher Plant
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 8-16 in (20-41 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
You might be surprised to know that the Pitcher Plant is carnivorous and can capture a wide range of animals! Although they’re primarily insectivores, frogs, lizards, newts, and even Spotted Salamanders are on the menu.
Pitcher plants get their name from goblet-shaped leaves that help them catch their prey. The leaves fill with water, and insects and other small animals fall in and can’t get out. Eventually, the insect drowns, and enzymes made by the plant digest its meal.
You can easily distinguish Pitcher Plants by their purple-veined leaves that grow into the shape of a pitcher or cup. The pitchers are about 6 inches (15 cm) long with a large lip. A leafless stalk grows from the middle, and a single reddish-purple flower blooms at the top.
#4. Cardinal Flower
- Lobelia cardinalis
Also known as: Red Bay, Scarlet Lobelia, Indian Pink, Water Gladiole, Slinkweed, Bog Sage, Hog’s Physic
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 3.6-72 in (9-183 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Mid Summer to Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
The blooms on this red wildflower in Louisiana cluster on the end of a long stalk. The Cardinal Flower has dark green leaves with purple undersides.
If you’re especially fond of hummingbirds, you can use the Cardinal Flower to attract them to your neighborhood. While other insects might find it hard to reach the sweet nectar inside, the tubular flowers are perfect for the long beaks of hummingbirds.
Cardinal Flowers grow well in a garden setting. Plant it in an area with partial sun for a beautiful pop of red that will attract hummingbirds!
#5. Scarlet Creeper
- Ipomoea hederifolia
Also known as: Scarlet Morning Glory, Trompillo
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-11
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Approximate Mature Size: 36-120 in (91-305 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer to Winter
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Scarlet Creeper is often used as a climbing addition to gardens in the southeast. It grows well in most conditions, and its vines can reach well over 10 ft. (3 m.)
Planting this red wildflower in Louisiana will attract butterflies and hummingbirds, but be aware that you must prune it regularly. Scarlet Creeper can quickly become invasive to your yard by climbing fences, trellises, walls, and trees.
#6. Trumpet Honeysuckle
- Lonicera sempervirens
Also known as: Scarlet Honeysuckle, Coral Honeysuckle, Honeysuckle, Woodbine
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4b-9a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 10-20 ft (3-6 m) tall
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring to Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Trumpet Honeysuckle attracts birds, butterflies, and bumblebees. Its red, trumpet-shaped flowers are especially attractive to hummingbirds.
In addition to pollinators, birds are attracted to this red wildflower in Louisiana because they eat its bright red berries. Purple Finches, Goldfinches, Hermit Thrushes, American Robins, and quails are frequent visitors to Trumpet Honeysuckle vines.
It has similar features to the Trumpet Creeper, and many people get the two mixed up. However, a benefit of the Trumpet Honeysuckle is that it’s not as aggressive and does not get as big as the Trumpet Creeper. Because of this, Trumpet Honeysuckle may fit better in your garden.
#7. Scarlet Rose Mallow
- Hibiscus coccineus
Also known as: Red Hibiscus, Wild Red Mallow, Scarlet Hibiscus
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5b-9a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 4-8 ft. (1-2.4 m) tall
- Bloom Time: Mid Summer to Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
The Scarlet Rose Mallow is a favorite among gardeners because of its big, showy crimson flowers. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, butterflies, and Rose Mallow Bees find this plant especially attractive.
You’re likely to find this red wildflower in Louisiana near swamps, ditches, and marshes in the wild. Look for it in areas of full sun with wet, rich soil.
#8. Painted-leaf
- Euphorbia cyathophora
Also known as: Wild Poinsettia
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-11
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Approximate Mature Size: 28-35 in (71-89 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Spring to Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
You can easily identify the Painted-leaf by its fiddle-shaped leaves with blotches of reddish pink near the base. Their coloring gives them a painted look, which is where their common name came from. You might mistake these colorful leaves as petals, but if you take a closer look, you will see that the true flowers are small and yellow.
This red wildflower in Louisiana grows in many different soil types, and it’s common across its range. So you’re likely to spot it in habitats ranging from forest edges to open fields.
#9. Woodland Pinkroot
- Spigelia marilandica
Also known as: Indian Pink, Pinkroot
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 12-18 in (30-46 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Late Spring to Summer
- Sun Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Shade
This red wildflower grows in Louisiana in moist woods, streambeds, and ravines with lots of shade. The Woodland Pinkroot is a favorite of hummingbirds, songbirds, and butterflies.
If you’re looking for a versatile, easy-to-care-for ornamental plant, Woodland Pinkroot is perfect for city and coastal gardens. It has upward-facing, trumpet-shaped red flowers. Each flower has a yellow middle that flares outward to form a star.
#10. Tropical Sage
- Salvia coccinea
Also known as: Red Salvia, Red Sage, Wild Salvia
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4, 8b-10a
- Life Cycle: Annual or Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 24-48 in (61-122 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Look for this red wildflower in Louisiana in woods, disturbed fields, and vacant lots. It attracts pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies. Its bright-red flowers grow from a central stem and look a little like clusters of bells.
Tropical sage has a longer blooming season than most wildflowers. You can expect to see its flowers from the beginning of summer through late autumn.
#11. Coralbean
- Erythrina herbacea
Also known as: Red Cardinal, Cherokee Bean, Mamou Plant
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b-10
- Life Cycle: Annual or Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 3-25 ft (91-762 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Spring to Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Don’t be confused by the similar names: Coralbean (sometimes called Red Cardinal) is a completely different plant from Red Cardinal Flower. Coralbean is generally a lighter, more pinky shade of red, and its petals are more openly spaced.
This plant is taller and bigger than most red wildflowers in Louisiana.
The Coralbean blooms are irresistible for hummingbirds. It also has thick, thorny foliage that serves as a refuge for birds and small animals against other wildlife. Look for Coralbean in the sandy soil of open woods and forest clearings.
#12. Trumpet Creeper
- Campsis radicans
Also known as: Trumpet Vine, Trumpet Climber, Hellvine, Devil’s Shoestring
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-10a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 29-40 ft (9-12 m) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Trumpet Vine is a perfect hummingbird flower (it’s even commonly referred to as “hummingbird vine”), as it features long, tubular, bright flowers with lots of nectar.
This reddish-orange wildflower is easy to grow in most of the country. And I do mean GROW. It has a reputation for growing like crazy, and I can second that with my first-hand experience. It needs to be trimmed regularly, or it will take over an entire area. The vine gets so big that many birds will even nest in its dense foliage!
#13. Wax Mallow
- Malvaviscus arboreus
Also known as: Bleeding Hearts, Manzanilla, Sleeping Hibiscus, Ladies Teardrop
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-10
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 12-16 ft (4-5 m) tall
- Bloom Time: Late Summer to Fall
- Sun Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun
Wax Mallow boasts overlapping vermillion red blooms similar to hibiscus flowers. Look for it in dense forest understories, where it grows in a shrub-like shape.
Wherever this red wildflower in Louisiana grows, you’re likely to find hummingbirds. It’s an important food source for these pollinating birds, particularly juveniles.
#14. Scarlet Beardtongue
- Penstemon murrayanus
Also known as: Red Beardtongue, Red Penstemon, Scarlet Penstemon, Cupleaf Penstemon, Cupleaf Beardtongue
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5b-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 24-72 in (61-183 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
This red wildflower is an essential nectar source for many hummingbirds in Louisiana.
Scarlet Beardtongue stands up to 6 feet tall, and its flowers are scattered on the end of the stalks. This plant earned its common name of Cupleaf Pentsemon for the upward-facing leaves that look like tiny green cups stacked on top of each other.
The thready stems and widely spaced flowers are common in wildflower fields and along roadsides.
#15. Blanket Flower
- Gaillardia pulchella
Also known as: Indian Blanket, Indian Blanketflower, Beach Blanket-flower, Firewheel, Sundance
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-11
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Approximate Mature Size: 12-24 in (30-61cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer to Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Blanket Flower is a sunflower with an impressive display of red, orange, and yellow petals. Don’t be surprised if you spot many bees and birds where these flowers grow!
Many beekeepers use Blanket Flower in the production of honey. The honey made from this red wildflower is mild, buttery, and amber-colored.
Goldfinches enjoy the seeds of Blanket Flower, so don’t forget to leave some seedheads after the flowering season!
What are your FAVORITE red wildflowers in Louisiana?
Let us know in the COMMENTS below!
